I've been a mom for just over a year now and I have just begun to sort of understand the demographic. There are many types out there; I have highlighted a few.
Disclaimer: Mommy friends, no offense meant whatsoever ;) I'm sure I am one of these moms -- or maybe a combination of all of them ;)
Miss Know-It-All
This mom will tell you everything you are doing wrong. If she sees your kid or even a picture of your kid, she will tell you 10 things that you are doing wrong there. Any conversation about your child will turn into a full-on lecture session. So much so that sometimes you anticipate the lecture ;) "What works for one kid may not work for the other" -- you should get this temporarily tattooed on your forehead whenever you meet her; or if you meet her everyday, just get the real ink ;)
The Googler
The present generation of first time moms have shades of "The Googler" in them -- she ranges from looking up a bad rash once in a while to one that walks around with phone in one hand, and child in the other, frantically googling why her kid did not burp. No old wives tales for her -- she only trusts random strangers on the internet. Others can go to hell.
The Cool Cat
Even though she is a first time mom, she cool as a cucumber. She is very adventurous about trying out new things on her kid. While other moms would be paranoid about their kid eating store bought cookie, this mom will leave an open pack of Oreos on the counter and not even care that her kid has consumed 10 of them since he/she woke up. Of course, she loves and cares for her kid but she is cool cat when it comes to strangers feeding her kid stuff that she hasn't dissected.
The Dare-devil
This one is an extreme version of the cool cat mom. She may have been Joey's ( of F.R.I.E.N.D.S fame) mom in her TV life --- "Whoops! Joey fell down the stairs!" "Whoops! Joey electrocuted himself again!" She does not flinch handing over her newborn to visitors -- no hosing them down with sanitizer. No sterilized bottles for her. Germs help toughen babies up!
The Paranoid Peach
This mom starts worrying at the drop of a hat. She is an extreme version of the googler mom. A sneeze or two from the kid will make her sweat. A simple leg or arm movement will get her wondering if his/her motor skills are ok. She is a walking-talking worry wart. And she is ready to voice her concern to anyone who would listen. Visiting her newborn is a task and a half. First there's the washing of the hands; then there's the sanitizer bath; next, a zillion instructions on how to hold the child. You may be Mother Teresa reincarnate! But no, the instructions will still follow.
Sleepless nights and tired feet aside, being a mother is a gift and a blessing. Taking a long hard look at ourselves and picking out the different idiosyncrasies makes it fun and less stressful.
Disclaimer: Mommy friends, no offense meant whatsoever ;) I'm sure I am one of these moms -- or maybe a combination of all of them ;)
Miss Know-It-All
This mom will tell you everything you are doing wrong. If she sees your kid or even a picture of your kid, she will tell you 10 things that you are doing wrong there. Any conversation about your child will turn into a full-on lecture session. So much so that sometimes you anticipate the lecture ;) "What works for one kid may not work for the other" -- you should get this temporarily tattooed on your forehead whenever you meet her; or if you meet her everyday, just get the real ink ;)
The Googler
The present generation of first time moms have shades of "The Googler" in them -- she ranges from looking up a bad rash once in a while to one that walks around with phone in one hand, and child in the other, frantically googling why her kid did not burp. No old wives tales for her -- she only trusts random strangers on the internet. Others can go to hell.
The Cool Cat
Even though she is a first time mom, she cool as a cucumber. She is very adventurous about trying out new things on her kid. While other moms would be paranoid about their kid eating store bought cookie, this mom will leave an open pack of Oreos on the counter and not even care that her kid has consumed 10 of them since he/she woke up. Of course, she loves and cares for her kid but she is cool cat when it comes to strangers feeding her kid stuff that she hasn't dissected.
The Dare-devil
This one is an extreme version of the cool cat mom. She may have been Joey's ( of F.R.I.E.N.D.S fame) mom in her TV life --- "Whoops! Joey fell down the stairs!" "Whoops! Joey electrocuted himself again!" She does not flinch handing over her newborn to visitors -- no hosing them down with sanitizer. No sterilized bottles for her. Germs help toughen babies up!
The Paranoid Peach
This mom starts worrying at the drop of a hat. She is an extreme version of the googler mom. A sneeze or two from the kid will make her sweat. A simple leg or arm movement will get her wondering if his/her motor skills are ok. She is a walking-talking worry wart. And she is ready to voice her concern to anyone who would listen. Visiting her newborn is a task and a half. First there's the washing of the hands; then there's the sanitizer bath; next, a zillion instructions on how to hold the child. You may be Mother Teresa reincarnate! But no, the instructions will still follow.
Sleepless nights and tired feet aside, being a mother is a gift and a blessing. Taking a long hard look at ourselves and picking out the different idiosyncrasies makes it fun and less stressful.
